Category: Legislation

Federal news MLA signs onto CHLA ABSC statement on the importance of hospital libraries [MLAConnect, 6/1/2021] This statement outlines the role hospital libraries play in the provision of evidence-based health care, and our concern and disappointment regarding the continued decommissioning, closure, underfunding, and understaffing of hospital libraries. The statement will be sent to politicians, hospital…

Federal news Top 3 health care takeaways from Biden’s address [Roll Call, 4/29/21] (1) To grant Medicare negotiation power to lower prescription drug costs and to expand Medicare, (2) to establish a permanent provision of lowering Affordable Care Act health care premiums, and (3) to found a new health care advanced research projects agency housed…

Federal news The Great Undoing: Which of Trump’s [Health] Policies Will Biden Reverse? [Kaiser Health News, 4/14/2021] Latest action: On April 14, HHS proposed new regulations that would return the Title X family planning program to the policies in effect pre-Trump. Biden’s first budget request goes big on science [Science, 4/9/2021] The National Institutes of…

Federal news Bill passed H.R.1319 — American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 [became Public Law No. 117-2 on 3/11/2021] Specifically, the bill provides funding for [see full list of provisions at the above link] schools and institutions of higher education; COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, treatment, and prevention; mental health and substance-use disorder services; programs for health…

Federal news Biden changes health coverage, women’s health funding policies [Roll Call, 1/28/21] “The Biden administration announced two wide-ranging health care executive actions … one expanding access to reproductive health care and another supporting enrollment in the individual insurance market and Medicaid.” Death of EPA’s controversial ‘censored science’ rule delights researchers [Science, 2/3/21] “…would have…

Federal news Biden uses executive orders to address COVID-19, other health care issues [Roll Call, 1/21/21] Early signings indicate a desire to quickly reverse Trump administration policies and outline his own priorities READ: Biden administration’s COVID-19 response and pandemic preparedness strategy [The Hill, 1/21/21] Democrats aim to move health care agenda despite slim majorities [Roll…

Federal news Bill passed H.R.133 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 [became Public Law No. 116-260 on 12/27/2020; View full text here] FY21 funding for relevant agencies are: $463,787,000 allocated to the National Library of Medicine (up from $456.9 million in FY20) $338,000,000 allocated to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (level with FY20 funding)…